I am writing to you to share mine and the Secretary of State’s deepest gratitude for all your efforts and energies in delivering the 100,000 a day testing target.

I have been astounded by the phenomenal contribution made by the biomedical and clinical scientists, the medical microbiologists, pathologists and other laboratory staff in the NHS and PHE laboratories. In little over a month you have taken us from a test that did not previously exist, to one that is now routinely processed and analysed over 25,000 times a day.

I know that this has vastly increased the laboratory workload and that it has come at a personal sacrifice from you and your families. You have all had to adapt to new ways of working, flexible practices and supporting each other across disciplines. I know there have been frustrations at times and barriers to overcome, but the spirit and collective enterprise to deliver this has been formidable.

Pathology is and will remain at the forefront of the battle against Covid 19. It has a fundamental role in our understanding of the virus and will have an essential part to play in our ability to successfully implement track and trace. It will also be vital in helping us eventually establish whether the population has antibodies to Covid 19.

I know the hard work does not stop now and will continue in the foreseeable future as we meet the challenges of this virus. However, despite the distance we have left to travel I wanted to take this moment to express my sincere thanks to you all.